Psalm 98 NLT
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. (5-9)
All of creation knows what many people in this world do not; that the Lord is worthy of worship and that He will come to judge the world with justice and fairness. For those who fear the Lord, there is nothing to fear from His coming. We stand in His righteousness and our sins have already been judged and paid for by Christ on the cross. Yet, for those who do not fear Him as Lord, there is much to worry about when He comes in judgment.
In this psalm, we see “anthropomorphisms” where created “things” take on the character and qualities of humanity. The sea “shouts praise” and the rivers “clap their hands” while the hills “sing out” songs of joy before the Lord. Creation delights in God’s glory and longs for the return of King Jesus to make all things new. In fact, they “make a joyful symphony” together. I love that image of a symphony of praise. It shows order and purpose in creation rather than random chaos. All of creation is united in its fear (and love) of the King of Kings. Every aspect of nature unites in a wonderful symphony and harmony that cannot be described with mere words.
Let us, also as created beings, join that symphony and harmonize with them. The Holy Spirit is the conductor and He is at work in this world and in His church. There is no random chance or disorder to His directions, but instead, He is orchestrating every person, everything, and every event into a grand harmonic symphony of praise for King Jesus who will return to judge the world with justice and fairness. Like an orchestra, let us keep our eyes open, waiting for the conductor to cue us so that we play our part in the symphony—not out of step and intent on our own tune, but instead in sync with the rest of the symphony. Find out what the Spirit is doing, and like creation, join in and play your part for the beauty of the song and the glory of the King.
